Three Rivers College will hand out “a huge number of academic credentials, and we will see almost 400 of our students walk across the stage to be honored,” said college President Dr. Wes Payne during Wednesday’s monthly board meeting.
“We were not able to do commencement last year,” Payne said, “so it’s wonderful to be able to hold the ceremony this year.”
The event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Libla Family Sports Complex on the school campus.
Additionally, about 50 graduates from the 2020 class, Payne said, will be on hand to be honored.
Pandemic protocols will be in place, Payne noted, and masks will be required of all attendees.
Three Rivers Chief Financial Officer Charlotte Eubank also briefed board trustees on college finances.
“Revenue is comparable to where it has been in previous months, and it’s progressing along,” Eubank reported.
“Our expenses did jump a little bit this go around. We had some one-time expenses that are unique to this period,” she said.
Overall, Eubank said, revenues minus expenses “are slightly behind last year, but it’s a tiny difference.”
Looking at the budget to actual revenue figures, Eubank said, “we’re doing well, as planned.”
When looking at the budget to actual expenses, Eubank said, “pretty much all of the categories are on target or even below spending targets.
“We’re being very frugal on that side of it.”
The college’s cash balance, as of May 3, Eubank said, was in an “average position,” with nearly $7.7 million in unrestricted operational cash, $6.4 million in the operating budget, $2.3 million in strategic reserves and $763,000 in restricted agency funds.
Payne gave his president’s report to the board, briefly speaking about the recent teacher of the year award ceremony, retirement reception, a Facebook Live performance by the school’s music department, the ACHIEVE graduation ceremony, Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony and the annual Student Excellence Awards ceremony.
Payne also updated the board on construction projects at the school.
“The softball field is nearing completion, and we hosted the district tournament there,” he said. The baseball field “is making progress, but it continues to rain, which does get in the way of the dirt work. We are hoping it will dry up soon so we can complete this project.”
Payne reported the college will host a send-off celebration for the Lady Raiders softball team at 7:30 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Bess Activity Center.
The team is heading to the national tournament and “We want to cheer them on their way to Yuma, Arizona, as both the Region 16 champions and Division 1 Midwest champions,” Payne said.
Athletic Director Brian Bess updated the board on post-season awards and recognition for several athletes.
In men’s basketball, Bess said, Brahm Harris earned All-Region and All Conference honors, while Kevin Jones was recognized for making All Conference and second team All Region, and Dominique Hardimon earned second-team All Region and second-team All Conference.
In women’s basketball, Bess recognized Chaylea Mosby (first team All-American, Regiona 16 Player of the Year, All Conference); Myia Yelder (third team All American, All Region, All Conference); Hya Haywood (All National Tournament team, All Region, All Conference); Jamiyah Thomas ( All National Tournament Team); Autumn Dodd ( first team All Conference, second team All Region); Joe Montgomery (second team ALL Region, second team All Conference); and Coach Alex Wiggs (Central District Coach of the Year, Region 16 Coach of the Year and MCCAC Coach of the Year).
Softball players recognized were Lauren Joyner (Region 16 Player of the Year, first team All Region, first team All Conference); Jaime Lee (All Region, All Conference); Molly Spangler (All Region, All Conference); Kyla Puckett (All Region, All Conference); Brianna Everett (All region, All Conference); Kindi Puckett (All region, All Conference); Makale Floyd (second team All Conference); Zoe Bisby (second team All Conference); and Coach Jeff Null (Region 16 Coach of the Year, MCCAC Coach of the Year and Midwest District Coach of the Year).
In baseball, Bess said, three players earned honors, including Cade Cancilla (first team All Region infielder); Austin Brock (second team pitcher; and Mason Libla (Defensive Player of the Year).
Bess also reported two college rodeo participants, Cole Skender and Holden Moss, will compete June 11-19 at the College National Rodeo Finals in Casper, Wyoming.
Payne also updated the board on the recent Industrial Technology Fair, saying “We had a number of area career technology centers participate.”
TRC drama students recently presented their version of “Happy Days’ in an outdoor setting behind the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, and Payne said they “did an incredible job with the performance and had a really good crowd. They averaged considerably more than 200 on each night.”
The school’s Mental Health Week activities, Payne reported, “had a lot of participation, and they created a lot of buzz and attention about mental health awareness and mental health in general.”
Nursing and Emergency Medical Services Instructors Kim Shackleford and Tami Cunningham reported on the recent mass casualty training event at the college, while Dr. Paul Larson and Dr. Amy Kopf presented the board with information about their recent science fair.
“This is a really good example of how in-the-classroom, practical learning makes a huge difference in how our students think about the material and how it builds a basis for them taking their next step,” said Payne of the science fair.
Upcoming events at the college, Payne said, include final exams May 17-20, RN nurse pinning ceremony May 21, summer registration ending June 3 and the Three Rivers Endowment Trust Golf Tournament June 11.